Translating "靈臺", acupuncture point DU-10
The reasoning for translating "靈臺" as "Spirit Tower" from Chinese into English. This is the original name of acupuncture point DU-10 (Du 10).
Explanation of the point name
The 臺 tower here is a place for being higher above the ground, so that one can see more. Here it is the Ling spirit that allows one to see more.
1st character
Meaning
靈 is the Ling spirit, the Yin aspect of the Heart (the Shen is the Yang aspect).
The concept of the Ling can be found in the Daodejing, chapter 39:
神得一以靈 … 神無以靈，將恐歇；
The Shen attains oneness through the Ling … Shen without Ling brings fearful withering away.
The author sees Ling as either 'having control' (not being powerless) or the 'divine aspect of oneself', depending on the perspective.
Point names with 靈
For consistency in the translations, it is necessary to be aware of how the character is translated elsewhere. These are the point names it is in.
| HT-2 | 青靈 | Blue-Green Spirit |
| HT-4 | 靈道 | Spirit's Path |
| KI-24 | 靈墟 | Spiritual Wasteland |
| GB-18 | 承靈 | Informed by the Spirit |
| DU-10 | 靈臺 | Spirit Tower |
2nd character
No other point names with this character.
Nearby points
Sometimes the names of consecutive points on a meridian are related. Being aware of nearby points can help to translate consistently in such a situation.
| DU-7 | 中樞 | Middle Pivot |
| DU-8 | 筋縮 | Muscle Contractions |
| DU-9 | 至陽 | Most Yang |
| DU-10 | 靈臺 | Spirit Tower |
| DU-11 | 神道 | Path of the Heart |
| DU-12 | 身柱 | Body Pillar |
| DU-13 | 陶道 | Pleasant Path |